211. Memorandum From Secretary of Agriculture Block to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)1
SUBJECT
- NSSD on U.S. Third World Hunger Relief
The Department of Agriculture supports a high level study to develop a creative and comprehensive U.S. food assistance program to help resolve world hunger. This Department administers the P.L. 480 program which is the cornerstone of U.S. foreign food assistance efforts. We recognize that the effectiveness of these programs are of vital interest to the United States and should be reviewed periodically.
Currently, the Department is reviewing the effectiveness of P.L. 480 and other programs employed to meet world food requirements. The study focuses on the long-term concern of how food and aid can best be utilized to support economic and trade development. Economic development is the long-term answer to alleviating hunger. The review is expected to be completed by March 1.
Since this review is almost completed, the Department of Agriculture recommends that this new study focus on how the United States can better respond to crisis situations such as we currently face in Africa. Better response is needed both in the decision making process and in efficiently getting the food to the people in need.
I recommend that Daniel G. Amstutz, Under Secretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs, be placed on the steering group and chaired by the Department of State.2 Mr. Amstutz is chairman of the DCC Food Aid Subcommittee.